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Sunday School | Middle School | Confirmation | Vacation Bible School | Church Camp | Nursery
Sunday School at Hope
Christian values are taught in our hands-on approach to Sunday school during the school year to children ages 3 years old-8th grade.
Students ages 3 years-5th grade begin each Sunday with Opening Time at 10:15am in the sanctuary, where lessons are introduced or reviewed using special speakers, playing a game show, learning poems and in many other fun and innovative ways. During Opening Time, students learn music that supports their lessons. Students sing or perform with instruments monthly, during 10:00am worship.
After Opening Time, students are dismissed to grade level classrooms for more elaborate learning opportunities. Lessons are active and meaningful with teachers using cooking, experimentation, puppetry, games and art as tools for learning.
Middle School
Students in grades 6th-8th meet every Sunday at 10:15am in their own special space at Hope. You can find this group developing their faith through Bible study, community service, learning about other faiths and wrestling with current event issues through a variety of activities. In October, the Middle School group supports Susan G. Komen for the Cure by participating in a breast cancer awareness walk, as well as supporting world hunger through participating in the CROP Walk.
Confirmation
Confirmation is a rite of the church by which individuals reaffirm their baptismal vows. Through classroom instruction, group activities, service projects, mentoring and worship, individuals will continue their faith formation as they explore what it means to be a disciple of Christ and discern their role in a faith community.
Here at Hope United Church of Christ, the confirmation program has a one year schedule of lessons and events that will allow individuals the opportunity to examine many different aspects of their faith journey and begin to make decisions on how God is calling them to continue to be faithful followers of Christ in mission and ministry. This program is designed for students seventh and eighth grade, but is open to all students seeking to learn more about their faith.
Students will have the chance to explore, in very practical ways, the power of prayer and its importance in the life of a community of faith, to examine the many different aspects of Jesus’ ministry and mission as portrayed throughout the Bible, and to work through difficult topics that are a part of their lives. There will also be important topics covered that are basic to the faith, such as: the importance of the Bible, elements of worship, and the sacraments. Students will also learn about the history of Hope United Church of Christ and become familiar with the wider-church history of our denomination. The hands-on practice of mission and the fun of fellowship with one another will also be a part of their experience.
It is our desire that individuals in this program will begin to ask questions of themselves as they continue their journey of faith, which is a journey that lasts a lifetime.
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School takes place each summer at Hope and is a fantastic event for everyone! Students who are ages 3 years- 5th grade are invited to participate in 4 days of games, art, music, experiments, Bible stories and FUN! Each year the kids choose a mission project to support during Vacation Bible School. Learn more about this year’s program here.
Summer Church Camp
Hope encourages youth and families to attend the Conference UCC sponsored summer camps at the Pilgrim Heights Campground and Retreat Center. There are camps for kids starting at age five through high school and many weekend programs for adults.
Nursery During Worship
A staffed nursery is available for children 5-years-old and younger during worship. An usher will gladly help you locate our nursery room and introduce you to our staff on duty.